Latest news with #ErnieKlassen
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada celebrates National Shipbuilding Strategy's continued economic benefits at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards Français
VANCOUVER, BC, /CNW/ - Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada is strengthening its sovereign shipbuilding capabilities and supply chains to ensure that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) are ready to meet evolving maritime challenges and support national and international operations. Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and Ernie Klassen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, visited Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) to celebrate the success of the NSS and mark its 15th anniversary. The NSS is growing shipbuilding expertise and creating thousands of good jobs across Canada, ensuring that we can build the ships the RCN and CCG need, right here at home. As our world changes, the Government of Canada is making the critical investments needed to keep Canadians safe, support the RCN and CCG, and strengthen our role on the world stage. Minister Lightbound commended VSY on its new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed in July of 2025, with Stigterstaal Canada and Algoma Steel. Under the MOU, the 3 companies will evaluate requirements and assess the feasibility of Algoma Steel supplying Class and non-Class steel, with the support of Stigterstaal, to VSY for the polar icebreaker. This agreement is an important step toward rebuilding a robust, domestic steel supply chain that enhances national industrial capacity while opening doors to innovation, employment and long-term economic growth. Canadian-made materials and homegrown partnerships help build a more resilient and self-sustaining economy. For the NSS, fostering partnerships with Canadian suppliers is an opportunity to maximize the strategy's potential and deliver even broader national benefits. In the 15 years since its launch, the NSS has revitalized Canada's marine sector and provided measurable economic value to Canadians. NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and the end of 2024 are estimated to have contributed close to $38.7 billion to Canada's gross domestic product and created or maintained approximately 21,400 jobs annually between 2012 and 2025. Through the work of VSY and other shipyards and suppliers, the NSS has bolstered the shipbuilding, refit and repair sector in British Columbia, providing a steady workflow that has helped to mitigate boom-and-bust cycles. Over the last 15 years, the NSS has evolved through the integration of lessons learned, ongoing engagement with industry partners and increasing collaboration across the country's industrial base. The Government of Canada remains committed to advancing the delivery of modern, capable vessels, while working closely with a range of suppliers to source domestically for federal contracts and accelerate Canada's economic prosperity. Quotes "Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, Canada is delivering a modern fleet for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard, while revitalizing the marine industry and creating thousands of skilled jobs. The ships built at Seaspan and other Canadian shipyards reflect a long-term investment in innovation, sovereignty and industrial growth under Canada's commitment to safeguard our oceans. By strengthening domestic supply chains and prioritizing Canadian-made steel and materials, the strategy is taking another meaningful step forward and will play an even more central role in creating a resilient and prosperous economy." The Honourable Joël Lightbound Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement "The National Shipbuilding Strategy is more than steel and ships. By continuing to invest in homegrown talent and suppliers, we are building a robust industrial base, skilled workforce and competitive economy, while ensuring the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard are equipped to meet a range of operational demands at home and abroad." The Honourable Stephen Fuhr Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) "The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a long-term investment in the security of our nation and the capabilities of the Royal Canadian Navy. By building ships here in Canada, we are strengthening our sovereign shipbuilding capacity, supporting Canadian industry, and ensuring our sailors are ready to meet the maritime challenges of today and tomorrow—both at home and abroad." The Honourable David J. McGuinty Minister of National Defence "Thanks to Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Canadian Coast Guard is receiving the modern, high-performing vessels our employees need to protect our waters, support coastal communities, and respond to emergencies from coast to coast to coast. This continued progress is a testament to our commitment to building a strong, sustainable marine industry and a safer, more resilient Canada." The Honourable Joanne Thompson Minister of Fisheries "Today, we celebrate Seaspan's important contribution to the National Shipbuilding Strategy and to the entire Canadian economy. Its agreement with Algoma is a perfect illustration of our government's strategy to prioritize the use of Canadian steel and aluminum in large procurements and major projects. We are working hard with industry to help them develop new product lines, open new markets and secure key manufacturing capabilities for generations to come." The Honourable Mélanie Joly Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions "As we celebrate 15 years of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, it is important to not only look back on our successes, but to look ahead to where we are going. The state of shipbuilding in Canada right now is very encouraging. In the last year, Seaspan has launched two ships, started sea trials for the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCGs) Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel and construction on the CCG's most powerful icebreaker, and made key partnerships with Canadian companies like Algoma Steel - a true sign of the rebirth of this industry. Seaspan's capability is a national strategic asset. We're ready to design and build the ships Canada needs, in Canada. Thank you to our government partners, our Canadian shipbuilding supply chain and, most importantly, our world-class designers, engineers and tradespeople for proving over the last 15 years that build-in-Canada solutions are the right choice for the economy, for industry, and for Canadians." Chief Executive Officer, Seaspan Shipyards Quick facts Shipyards and companies in the Pacific region are playing an important role in supporting Canada's shipbuilding needs. As of August 2025, approximately $15.27 billion in contracts has been awarded to Pacific region companies under the NSS. This represents 28.2% of the total value of NSS-issued contracts. NSS shipyards in British Columbia have issued approximately $1.3 billion in supplier development contracts to over 560 firms across the province. These contracts have provided meaningful, long-term opportunities for skilled workers across the Pacific provinces. In 2020, VSY delivered 3 offshore fisheries science vessels to the CCG, representing the first class of large ships to be completed under the NSS. VSY is building 1 of the CCG's 2 future polar icebreakers. Construction began in April 2025 and is progressing. These powerful ships will ensure that the CCG can operate in Arctic waters for longer periods to respond to maritime emergencies and better support Indigenous Peoples, Arctic security and high Arctic science. The offshore oceanographic science vessel is progressing through the final stages of completion, with delivery anticipated later this year. This ship will serve as the CCG's largest dedicated science vessel. VSY is making progress on the joint support ships (JSS) for the RCN, with final outfitting of JSS 1 underway and construction of JSS 2 continuing to advance. VSY has also transitioned from functional design to production design and pre-construction work for the first flight of multi-purpose icebreakers that will be built for the CCG. In 2019, the Government of Canada awarded docking work period contracts to Seaspan's Victoria Shipyards (VSL), Chantier Davie Canada Inc. and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. to provide maintenance support services for the Halifax-class frigates. Each shipyard is responsible for sustaining a portion of the fleet until its planned retirement in the early 2040s. VSL recently completed work on His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary and has now turned to HMCS Winnipeg. Through the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and the NSS Value Proposition, the Government of Canada is leveraging defence spending to boost the economy and contribute to the long-term sustainability of its marine industry, with companies like Seaspan reinvesting in Canadian businesses, workforce development and innovation. Canada is participating in a key international alliance through the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) with the United States and Finland. The trilateral partnership aims to deepen existing cooperation, strengthen our shipbuilding industries, allow new equipment and capabilities to be developed quickly, and engage other allies and partners to help meet future global demand for Arctic and polar vessels. Associated links National Shipbuilding Strategy Polar icebreaker projects Joint support ships Multi-purpose icebreakers Offshore oceanographic science vessel Repair, refit and maintenance projects Industrial and technological benefits Canada signs new partnership agreement with United States and Finland to produce Arctic and polar icebreakers Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY - Government of Canada to celebrate progress on National Shipbuilding Strategy at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards in British Columbia
GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 11, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and Ernie Klassen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, will participate in an event at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards to celebrate its progress on National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) projects. In addition to highlighting the significant economic benefits being generated through the NSS for Canadian shipyards and companies, this event will showcase the success of the NSS, which is growing shipbuilding expertise and creating thousands of good jobs across the country, as well as ensuring that we can build the ships the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard need, right here at home. A media availability will follow. Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local. Information for media Media wishing to attend are asked to confirm their participation by sending their name and the name of their organization to Public Services and Procurement Canada at [email protected] by Tuesday, August 12, at 7:00 am. Please include "RSVP for NSS Event" in the subject line of the email. Event location details will be shared once media are registered. Media attending are asked to arrive at 9:30 am.
CBC
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Liberals flip longtime Conservative riding of South Surrey-White Rock
Liberals have managed to flip the South Surrey-White Rock riding, which was held by the Conservative Party in the last two elections. As Sohrab Sandhu reports, the new MP, Ernie Klassen, says the last provincial election was an important factor in his victory.
The Province
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Province
Federal Election Results Live: Liberals' Ernie Klassen pulls ahead of Conservative Kerry-Lynne Findlay in South Surrey-White Rock
In White Rock-South Surrey, Liberal Ernie Klassen pulled ahead of Conservative Kerry-Lynne Findlay. South Surrey-White Rock could be a close race. The candidates, from left, Green candidate Christine Kinnie, NDP candidate Jureun Park, Liberal candidate Ernie Klassen and Conservative candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Photo by Submitted Click HERE to follow our federal election 2025 live blog throughout the night for the latest election news from across B.C. and the rest of the country, and we'll update this story with Surrey riding results after the polls close. Be sure to hit the refresh button often to get the latest update. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Here is a riding-by-riding map of election results for Metro Vancouver. Hit refresh on this story to get the latest vote count: Here is a riding-by-riding map of election results for B.C. Hit refresh on this story to get the latest vote count: Liberals are out in front in several Surrey ridings, including White Rock-South Surrey, where it looks like Conservative incumbent Kerry-Lynne Findlay will lose her seat. Liberal Ernie Klassen, a White Rock city councillor, has 20,095 votes, while Findlay has to 18,626 votes with 191 of 221 polls reporting. Fleetwood-Port Kells remains close. Liberal Gurbux Saini has 10,880 votes and Conservative Sukh Pandher has 10,517 votes, with 155 of 187 polls reporting. In Surrey Centre, Liberal Randeep Sarai is ahead with 13,972 votes. Conservative rival Rajvir Dhillon has 12,386 votes, with 80 of 153 polls reporting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In Surrey Newton, Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal is leading with 9,287 votes, compared to Conservative Harjit Singh Gill with 8,548 votes, with 146 out of 169 polls reporting. Surrey voters have had their pick of political rallies to attend over the last two months. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre kicked off his B.C. campaign at a Surrey warehouse in late March, telling stories about a Penticton camping trip. More recently, Liberal Leader Mark Carney was in Surrey, talking tariffs and Donald Trump at the Cloverdale Agriplex after making a brief stop at the White Rock pier. With poll aggregator website 338Canada showing a tight race in several Surrey ridings, it's not surprising the leaders made several stops in the city, said University of the Fraser Valley political scientist Hamish Telford. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Pierre Poilievre during his Canada First rally in Surrey on March 27, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Metro Vancouver could play a deciding factor in the election, in the same way (though to a lesser extent) that the Greater Toronto Area often determines who forms government, he said. It could also be a deciding factor between a minority or majority government. Surrey is large and populous, but also unpredictable. Ridings flip between parties, whereas in cities and rural areas, political allegiances tend to be stable. That's a strong incentive for leaders to spend time in B.C. and home in on issues that matter to voters. So what matters to Surrey? Telford said the proximity of the U.S. border — and how much Surrey businesses rely on trade with the U.S. — can't be overlooked. About 20 per cent of Surrey businesses, including 113 import and export businesses and 900 transportation and warehousing firms, have trade ties with the U.S., Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said this year. That represents about $2.8 billion in cross-border commerce each year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Surrey's large trucking industry is likely feeling the impact of reduced trade and economic uncertainty, said Telford. Liberal Leader Mark Carney thanks supporters after speaking at a rally on April 23, 2025, in Surrey. Photo by Rich Lam / Getty Images Here's a closer look at four Surrey ridings as voters head to the polls: South Surrey-White Rock South Surrey-White Rock has been a nail-biter in previous elections. In 2021, Findlay won the seat by 3.5 percentage points over Liberal Gordie Hogg. She won it by four percentage points in 2019. Hogg won the seat in a 2017 byelection, besting Findlay by five percentage points after Conservative Dianne Watts resigned. Liberal candidate for South Surrey-White Rock Ernie Klassen in White Rock on April 16, 2025. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Klassen said a trade war could critically impact the riding, from tourism and economic hardship for farmers in South Surrey, to the manufacturing sector on the riding's eastern edge. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He said he wants to ensure Canada has a leader who can 'rebuild a friendly relationship' with the U.S. Findlay blamed the Liberals for putting the country in a 'weakened state.' 'Inflation, high interest rates, gas prices, groceries — people are very concerned,' she said. Also running in South Surrey-White Rock is Jureun Park for the NDP and Christine Kinnie for the Greens. Conservative candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay in White Rock on April 22, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Surrey Centre Surrey Centre is another race to watch, with some polls predicting a close race. Liberal incumbent Randeep Sarai has won the riding by a healthy margin in the last three federal elections, most recently beating the closest NDP candidate by a 17 per cent margin in 2021. Running against Sarai in Surrey Centre is Rajvir Dhillon for the Conservatives, Dominic Denofrio for the NDP, Krishan Khurana for the Greens, Beverly Tanchak for the People's Party of Canada, and Ryan Abbott for the Communist party. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fleetwood-Port Kells has voted Liberal in recent elections, with Ken Hardie winning the seat in 2021, 2019 and 2015. Before that, the riding was held by Conservative Nina Grewal for four terms. Running for the Liberals this time is Gurbux Saini. Sukh Pandher is running for the Conservatives, Shannon Permal for the NDP, Murali Krishnan for the Greens, and John Hetherington for the People's Party of Canada. Surrey Newton Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal is seeking a sixth term in Surrey Newton. The Liberals have held the riding since 2015, when Dhaliwal beat the NDP's Jinny Sims. Dhaliwal also held the riding in 2008 and 2006 before losing to Sims in 2011. Running for the NDP this time is Raj Toor Singh. Harjit Singh Gill is running for the Conservatives and Salman Zafar for the Communist Party. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. gluymes@ Read more of our federal election coverage in these B.C. ridings: • Vancouver Centre; Vancouver East; Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby; Vancouver Granville; Vancouver Kingsway; and Vancouver Quadra • Delta; Richmond Centre-Marpole; Richmond East-Steveston • Fleetwood-Port Kells; South Surrey-White Rock; Surrey Centre; and Surrey Newton • Abbotsford-South Langley; and Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford • Cloverdale-Langley City; and Langley Township-Fraser Heights • North Vancouver-Capilano; and West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky • Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam; Port Moody-Coquitlam; and Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge • Burnaby-Central; Burnaby North-Seymour; and New West-Burnaby-Mallairdville • Vancouver Island • Rest of B.C. and beyond Read More
CBC
28-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
8 ridings across British Columbia to watch on election night
B.C. ridings worth watching on election night 3 days ago Duration 2:16 Social Sharing Seemingly every federal election, there's a thought that the late night counting of votes in British Columbia will determine which party will form government. And seemingly every federal election, it doesn't happen. Polls close at 7 p.m. PT in B.C. Monday, a half hour after everywhere from Alberta to Quebec. That means that by the time a substantial number of ballots are counted in B.C., a government might already be called — or it could be the focus of the entire country into the early hours of the morning. There are 43 electoral districts across British Columbia, and they all matter — but based on this election's candidates, past history and current polling, here are eight that are likely to get a little more attention on Monday night. South Surrey-White Rock If the polls are correct, the Liberal Party not only stands on the verge of winning a fourth straight election, but could receive a majority government. That would require them to win an additional 19 ridings across the country from where they stood when Parliament was dissolved — and one of their top possibilities is South Surrey-White Rock. The Conservative Party has won the last two elections there, but the Liberals have been within five percentage points, and were victorious there in 2015. Incumbent Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay seeks re-election against White Rock Coun. Ernie Klassen in the riding along the Canada-U.S. border. WATCH | What voters here say matters to them: South Surrey-White Rock voters share what matters to them ahead of the 2025 federal election 17 days ago Duration 5:05 Early Edition host Stephen Quinn set out a card table and a couple of folding chairs in front of an all-candidates meeting at the St. John's Presbyterian Church in White Rock to hear what matters most to South Surrey-White Rock voters. Here's how that went. Richmond Centre-Marpole But if the polls are inaccurate, and there's more support for the Conservative Party than they indicate, Pierre Poilievre's party could pick up more seats in British Columbia en route to a possible government. One of those seats in Metro Vancouver is Richmond Centre-Marpole, where Liberal incumbent Wilson Miao seeks re-election against Conservative Chak Au, a longtime Richmond city councillor. North Island-Powell River While the Conservatives would like to take away seats currently held by the Liberal party, most of their best opportunities for pickups are at the expense of the NDP, which has been lagging behind in federal and provincial polls all campaign. Their biggest target is Vancouver Island, where there are four ridings north of Greater Victoria currently held by the NDP, but which went to the Conservative Party or their predecessors in many elections in the 1990s and 2000s. It's why Poilievre has been in the region on multiple occasions. The highest profile of those four ridings is North Island-Powell River, where polarizing Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn seeks to defeat NDP candidate Tanille Johnston and Liberal Jennifer Lash. Questions about strategic voting have dominated progressive discussions about those ridings — but it's impossible to say how much it will change voting habits until after Monday night. Victoria But all seven ridings on Vancouver Island are hard to forecast, and not all of them are trending Conservative. Liberal Leader Mark Carney has visited the Victoria riding three times during the course of the campaign, a sign of his party's desire to retake the seat along with the adjacent riding of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke. University of Victoria associate professor Will Greaves hopes to take the seat for the Liberals from incumbent NDP MP Laurel Collins, which would turn B.C.'s provincial capital red for the first time since the 2000 election. WATCH | Liberals eye NDP's Victoria seat: Victoria riding could be up for grabs this federal election 11 days ago Duration 2:22 Saanich-Gulf Islands And to the north of Victoria, Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May hopes to hold onto a seat she has held since 2011, despite her party doing worse in federal polls than at any point during her tenure. That area of Vancouver Island was held by the Conservative Party prior to May's victory, meaning the party is optimistic for a pickup here. But it's another place where questions about strategic voting and whether progressive voters pool their support are a big part of the conversation. Burnaby Central Of course, there's another federal leader who's also at risk of losing their B.C. riding. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's Burnaby South riding was eliminated during redistribution, and he seeks re-election in the newly drawn Burnaby Central electoral district. However, it's seen as a tossup because, in the past two general elections, Singh won Burnaby South by less than 10 percentage points, and his party is doing significantly worse in the polls than either of those outings. Party leaders generally receive a bump in support relative to how a typical candidate would perform in a riding — but will it be enough for Singh on Monday? Twelve of the NDP's 24 current seats are in British Columbia, meaning much of the focus on the party's fate will be there. None loom larger than Singh's. WATCH | Singh confident in riding win despite poor polling: Singh says he's 'absolutely confident' he'll win Burnaby Central 20 days ago Duration 1:34 NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, speaking from Vancouver on Day 17 of the federal election campaign, is asked if he's confident he'll win the riding after a poll suggested his seat is in jeopardy amid lagging support for his party in British Columbia. Abbotsford-South Langley While there are plenty of other ridings across Metro Vancouver with potentially interesting three-way races, there's one in the Fraser Valley with a different three-way split. Longtime MLA Mike de Jong hoped to run for the Conservatives in the new riding of Abbotsford-South Langley, but was rejected by the party with no public reason. The Conservatives instead appointed Sukhman Gill, a 25-year-old Langley businessman who was raised on his parent's blueberry farm. De Jong decided to run as an Independent in the traditionally Conservative district and has the support of the retiring Conservative MP for the area — giving hope to both de Jong, and Liberal candidate Kevin Gillies, who might be able to come up the middle. Kelowna And while most of the ridings that will get attention on election night are either in the Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island, there are ten seats up for grabs beyond Hope. The Conservatives currently hold the vast majority of them, and are hoping to sweep the region with pickups in Skeena-Bulkley Valley and Similkameen-South Okanagan-West Kootenay. But the Liberal Party is also mildly optimistic about their chances in Kelowna, the biggest city in B.C.'s Interior. The area has only been won once by the party in recent history, by Stephen Fuhr in 2015 — but he's back hoping to retake the area from Conservative incumbent Tracy Gray. It's the type of seat the Conservatives need to take for granted if they hope to form government after Monday.
